Coronary Artery Disease and Cardiovascular General Information

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Coronary Artery Disease and Cardiovascular General Information

Risk Reduction

NEWS:

Canola Oil Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

Drinking Green Tea Reduces CVD Mortality "A prospective cohort study of more than 40,000 people in Japan has shown that drinking green tea can significantly cut deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as all-cause mortality, particularly in women. There was no beneficial effect of green tea consumption on cancer mortality, however."

Eating Walnuts With High-fat Meals Helps To Protect Arteries Against Short-term Damage " 'Each time we eat a high-fat meal, the fat molecules trigger an inflammatory reaction that, among other ill effects, reduces the elasticity of the arteries,' Dr. Ros said. 'Over time, this repeated damage is thought to contribute to hardening of the arteries and, in turn, to heart disease. Our latest research shows that eating walnuts helps to maintain the elasticity of the arteries.' "

Exercise and CHD risk: It's never too late ". Becoming very active in late adulthood cuts CHD risk by 90% ." (Rothenbacher D, Koenig W, Brenner H, et al. Lifetime physical activity patterns and risk of coronary heart disease. Heart 2006)

Folic Acid Does Not Prevent Cardiovascular Disease "A meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials of folic acid has found that it does not reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease or all-cause mortality in those with a history of vascular disease."

Folic Acid Modestly Protects Against Cardiovascular Events

Green Tea and the 'Asian Paradox' " . the average 1.2 liters of green tea consumed daily by many people in Asia offers the anti-oxidant protective effects of the polyphenolic EGCG. EGCG may prevent LDL oxidation, which has been shown to play a key role in the pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis. EGCG also reduces the amount of platelet aggregation, regulates lipids, and promotes proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells, which are all factors in reducing cardiovascular disease . "

High Carb, Low Glycemic Index Diet Best to Reduce CV Risk "Diets high in carbohydrates (CHOs) with low glycemic index (GI) are best for cardiovascular risk reduction, according to the results of a randomized controlled study reported in the July 24 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The editorialist suggests that it is time to incorporate the concepts of glycemic index and glycemic load into clinical practice to reduce cardiovascular risk."

Lifestyle trumps drugs for a healthy heart "Middle-aged men on these medications can reduce their chances of heart problems by 57 percent by eating right, not smoking, drinking in moderation and maintaining a healthy weight while exercising regularly, the researchers said. Those who do not take the drugs can cut their risk of heart ailments by 87 percent if they adopt these lifestyle choices."

Mediterranean beats low-fat diet for heart health "Spanish researchers found that the traditional Mediterranean diet bested a low-fat diet in helping older adults improve their cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. The findings, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, add to evidence that diets rich in healthy fats offer a better heart prescription than diets that limit fat altogether. Mediterranean-style eating generally means plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, limited amounts of red meat and processed foods, and a relatively high amount of fat from olive oil and nuts. Studies have shown that people living in the Mediterranean region have lower rates of heart disease, despite their high fat intake. . Olive oil is mostly monounsaturated fat, and virgin olive oil -- which is minimally processed -- retains the fruit's natural antioxidants, as well as nutrients that may help reduce inflammation in the blood vessels. Similarly, nuts contain unsaturated fats and other nutrients thought to be heart-protective."

New Heart Strategy Focuses on Lifestyles " … evidence of the impact lifestyle changes alone can have on preventing cardiovascular problems. Euroaction's community-based strategy for avoiding heart disease is based on the premise that lifestyle, in most cases, is more important than genetics in determining susceptibility to heart disease. Euroaction focused on improving the behavioral choices of 10,972 patients and their partners and families. "

Olive oil 'can cut cancer risk' "A study of 182 European men found those who had 25 millilitres of olive oil per day had reduced levels of a substance which indicates cell damage. The Danish team said it may explain why many cancer rates are higher in northern Europe than the south, where olive oil is a major part of the diet. "

Soy component linked to heart health benefits

Study Finds Aspirin Still Tops in Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention

Study: Tofu, Oatmeal Lower Cholesterol "The diet includes low-fat dairy products, smaller portions of lean meats and skinless poultry and substituting soy products for animal foods when possible. The more dieters combine foods rich in viscous fiber -- oat bran, barley, okra and eggplant -- as well as raw almonds, peanuts and walnuts, the more their cholesterol dropped, according to the study."

The Claim: Taking Selenium Lowers Risk of Heart Disease "The study last month found that the selenium group had lower rates of colorectal, prostate and lung cancer than the placebo group, although selenium's anticancer properties are the subject of debate. THE BOTTOM LINE Despite its reputation, selenium seems to have no effect on heart disease."

Walnuts May Beat Olive Oil for Heart Health "Ultrasound examinations showed that the arteries of those eating the walnuts stayed more flexible and elastic after the fatty meal those of the folks who ate olive oil."

ARTICLES:

Cardioprotective Properties of Fibrates

Intensive Prevention Key to Fighting Coronary Artery Disease

Summaries for patients. The effect of virgin and refined olive oils on heart disease risk factors. "Virgin olive oil (high in polyphenols) increases the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ('good cholesterol') the most. It also increases the body level of substances that prevent a chemical reaction (oxidation) that may damage low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ('bad cholesterol') and make it more likely to promote clots in blood vessels that can lead to heart disease"

JOURNAL ARTICLES:

[Alpha-linolenic acid, cardiovascular disease and sudden death] (Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2006) "INTERPRETATION: On the whole, the observational and secondary prophylactic studies indicate that ALA may have cardioprotective effects in healthy individuals and in patients with coronary heart disease. For those who seldom eat fish and only take small amounts of fish oils, a diet rich on ALA may be an alternative."

Aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events. (Timely Top Med Cardiovasc Dis. 2006) "In conclusion, the benefits of low-dose aspirin (75-162 mg/day) in the prevention of myocardial infarction in men and thrombotic stroke in women generally outweigh the risks of serious bleeding in adults with a coronary heart disease risk >1% per year or >1% in 10 years. (c) 2006 Prous Science. All rights reserved."

Aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events. (Drugs Today (Barc). 2006)

Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Women and Men (JAMA. 2006)

Carotenoids and cardiovascular health (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006) "In this review, the role of main dietary carotenoids, ie, lycopene, ß-carotene, -carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin, in the prevention of heart diseases is discussed. Although it is clear that a higher intake of fruit and vegetables can help prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with heart diseases, more information is needed to ascertain the association between the intake of single nutrients, such as carotenoids, and the risk of CVD. Currently, the consumption of carotenoids in pharmaceutical forms for the treatment or prevention of heart diseases cannot be recommended."

Cereal grains and legumes in the prevention of coronary heart disease and stroke: a review of the literature. (Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006) "Recommendation: Carbohydrate-rich foods should be wholegrain and if they are not, then the lowest GI product available should be consumed. Glycemic index is largely irrelevant for foods that contain small amounts of carbohydrate per serve (such as most vegetables)."

Combined effect of blood pressure and physical activity on cardiovascular mortality. (Journal of Hypertension 2006)

Consumption of coffee is associated with reduced risk of death attributed to inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases in the Iowa Women's Health Study (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006) "Conclusions: Consumption of coffee, a major source of dietary antioxidants, may inhibit inflammation and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases in postmenopausal women."

Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations Revision 2006. A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Nutrition Committee. (Circulation. 2006) "The recommendations are to balance caloric intake and physical activity to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight; consume a diet rich in vegetables and fruits; choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods; consume fish, especially oily fish, at least twice a week; limit intake of saturated fat to <7% of energy, trans fat to <1% of energy, and cholesterol to <300 mg/day by choosing lean meats and vegetable alternatives, fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1% fat) dairy products and minimize intake of partially hydrogenated fats; minimize intake of beverages and foods with added sugars; choose and prepare foods with little or no salt; if you consume alcohol, do so in moderation; and when you eat food prepared outside of the home, follow these Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations."

Dietary fibre, nuts and cardiovascular diseases. (Br J Nutr. 2006)

Dietary Intake of Calcium in Relation to Mortality From Cardiovascular Disease (Stroke. 2006)

Dietary omega-3 Fatty Acid intake and cardiovascular risk. (Am J Cardiol. 2006) "Cardioprotective benefits have been observed with daily consumption of as little as 25 to 57 g ( approximately 1 to 2 oz) of fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, an intake equivalent to >/=1 fish meal weekly or even monthly, with greater intakes decreasing risk further in a dose-dependent manner, up to about 5 servings per week. Fish, including farm-raised fish and their wild counterparts, are the major dietary sources of the longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Sources of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts, canola oil, and soybean oil. Because of the remarkable cardioprotective effects of omega-3 fatty acids, consumption of food sources that provide omega-3 fatty acids-especially the longer-chain fatty acids (>/=20 carbons) from marine sources-should be increased in the diet to decrease CVD risk significantly."

Effect of Weight Loss Due to Lifestyle Intervention on Subclinical Cardiovascular Dysfunction in Obesity (Body Mass Index >30 kg/m2) (The American Journal of Cardiology 2006)

Effects of a Mediterranean-Style Diet on Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Randomized Trial (Ann Intern Med 2006) "Conclusion: Compared with a low-fat diet, Mediterranean diets supplemented with olive oil or nuts have beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors."

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on serum markers of cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review. (Atherosclerosis. 2006) "The evidence supports a dose-dependent beneficial effect of fish oil on serum triglycerides, particularly among people with more elevated levels. Fish oil consumption also modestly improves HDL cholesterol, increases LDL cholesterol levels, but does not appear to adversely affect glucose homeostasis. The evidence regarding the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on hs-CRP is inconclusive, as are data on ALA."

Flavonoid-rich grapeseed extracts: a new approach in high cardiovascular risk patients? (Int J Clin Pract. 2006)

Flaxseed oil increases the plasma concentrations of cardioprotective (n-3) fatty acids in humans. (J Nutr. 2006)

Greater Fish, Fruit, and Vegetable Intakes Are Related to Lower Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism. The Longitudinal Investigation of Thromboembolism Etiology (Circulation 2006) " Conclusions--A diet including more plant food and fish and less red and processed meat is associated with a lower incidence of VTE."

Green Tea Consumption and Mortality Due to Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and All Causes in Japan (JAMA. 2006) "Conclusion Green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality due to all causes and due to cardiovascular disease but not with reduced mortality due to cancer. "

Healthy Lifestyle Factors in the Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Among Men. Benefits Among Users and Nonusers of Lipid-Lowering and Antihypertensive Medications. (Circulation. 2006) "CONCLUSIONS: A majority of CHD events among US men may be preventable through adherence to healthy lifestyle practices, even among those taking medications for hypertension or hypercholesterolemia."

Heart disease prevention in women: Promoting exercise. (J Am Acad Nurse Pract. 2006)

Intake of fish and long-chain n-3 fatty acids and the risk of coronary heart mortality in men and women. (Br J Nutr. 2006) "In conclusion, our results for women are in line with the suggested protective effect of fish consumption against CHD but a similar association was not, however, found in men."

Intake of Fish and n3 Fatty Acids and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Among Japanese. The Japan Public Health Center-Based (JPHC) Study Cohort I (Circulation 2006)

n-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2006) "The results of prospective cohort studies indicate that consuming fish or fish oil containing the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is associated with decreased cardiovascular death, whereas consumption of the vegetable oil-derived n-3 fatty acid a-linolenic acid is not as effective. Randomized control trials (RCTs) in the context of secondary prevention also indicate that the consumption of EPA plus DHA is protective at doses <1 g/d. The therapeutic effect appears to be due to suppression of fatal arrhythmias rather than stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. At doses >3 g/d, EPA plus DHA can improve cardiovascular disease risk factors, including decreasing plasma triacylglycerols, blood pressure, platelet aggregation, and inflammation, while improving vascular reactivity."

n-3 Fatty acids from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not -linolenic acid, benefit cardiovascular disease outcomes in primary- and secondary-prevention studies: a systematic review (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2006) "Evidence suggests that increased consumption of n-3 FAs from fish or fish-oil supplements, but not of -linolenic acid, reduces the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiac and sudden death, and possibly stroke."

Omega-3 fatty acids: their beneficial role in cardiovascular health. (Can Fam Physician. 2006) "Omega-3 fatty acids are cardioprotective mainly due to beneficial effects on arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, inflammation, and thrombosis. There is also evidence that they improve endothelial function, lower blood pressure, and significantly lower triglycerides. CONCLUSION: There is good evidence in the literature that increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids improves cardiac outcomes. Physicians need to integrate dietary recommendations for consumption of omega-3 fatty acids into their usual cardiovascular care."

Past oral contraceptive use and angiographic coronary artery disease in postmenopausal women: data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (Fertility and Sterility 2006) "Past oral contraceptive use is associated with less coronary artery disease, measured by quantitative coronary angiography, among postmenopausal women with suspected myocardial ischemia. These findings suggest that a prospective study should address the hypothesis that past oral contraceptive use during the premenopausal years might offer women protection from atherosclerotic coronary disease later in life."

Physical activity, fitness and cardiovascular disease risk in adults: interactions with insulin resistance and obesity. (Clin Sci (Lond). 2006) "Recent data suggest that high levels of physical activity or fitness may be particularly beneficial to individuals with insulin-resistant conditions, such as the metabolic syndrome, Type II diabetes or obesity. These individuals, if unfit and sedentary, exhibit increased CVD risk, but their dose-response relationship for physical activity/fitness appears to be particularly steep such that, when they undertake high levels of activity (or have high fitness), their level of risk becomes closer to that of their normal weight or nondiabetic peers. This may be due to effects of physical activity in normalizing the metabolic dysfunction particularly associated with insulin-resistant conditions."

Postprandial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of extra virgin olive oil (Atherosclerosis 2006) "These data reinforce the notion that the Mediterranean diet reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease partially due to the protective role of its phenolic components, including those of extra virgin olive oil."

Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women (Am Fam Physician 2006)

Red grapefruit appears to lower cholesterol, fight heart disease

Reduction in the Incidence of Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated With a Citywide Smoking Ordinance (Circulation. 2006)

The Effect of Polyphenols in Olive Oil on Heart Disease Risk Factors (Annals 2006) "Conclusions: Olive oil is more than a monounsaturated fat. Its phenolic content can also provide benefits for plasma lipid levels and oxidative damage."

The effectiveness of walking in preventing cardiovascular disease in women: a review of the current literature. (J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2006) "Obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes can all be positively affected by increased physical activity or, more specifically, increased daily walking in women. With a large number of people living a sedentary lifestyle, it is important to focus on the effects of physical activity options that are both physiologically beneficial and personally appealing and available to the majority of individuals. With studies showing positive results using pedometer- monitored walking to decrease CVD risk, accumulated daily walking as opposed to structured walking activity should also be considered as a viable option in women."

The Fish in Secondary Prevention of Heart Disease (FISH) Survey--Primary Care Physicians and {omega}3 Fatty Acid Prescribing Behaviors. (J Am Board Fam Med. 2006)

The Mediterranean-style diet for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. (Public Health Nutr. 2006)

Training effects of short bouts of stair climbing on cardiorespiratory fitness, blood lipids, and homocysteine in sedentary young women. (Br J Sports Med. 2005) "CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms that accumulating short bouts of stair climbing activity throughout the day can favourably alter important cardiovascular risk factors in previously sedentary young women. Such exercise may be easily incorporated into the working day and therefore should be promoted by public health guidelines."

Usefulness of omega-3 fatty acids and the prevention of coronary heart disease. (Am J Cardiol. 2005)

Virgin olive oil deemed especially heart healthy "In a study of 200 healthy men, the researchers found that virgin olive oil -- rich in antioxidants called polyphenols -- showed stronger heart-health effects than the more extensively processed "non-virgin" variety."

What Type of Diet Is Best for Cardiovascular Prevention? (Medscape Cardiology. 2006)

Whole grains and CVD risk. (Proc Nutr Soc. 2006)

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